What have I learned so far?

What a nice question to check your achievements from time to time! The one thing I have definitely realized thoroughly is your passion and interest in ever of your beginnings. Weather it is your desire to learn new language or preparation for your semester exams, maybe your hobbies or sport (if it is not your hobby!). What I am trying to say is that the outcome of your efforts entirely relies on your aspiration and diligence. Don’t try to fool yourself with made-up excuses and also don’t spare yourself but vice versa! Try to treat yourself as a person you are not satisfied with (to an adequate extent, of course, don’t overdo it because it maybe also be harmful) and demand from yourself accordingly. I have experienced that so many times and, of course, I am not a perfect person, I cannot always act like that. I learn from my mistakes though and endeavor as much as I can!
So, going back to the question! During this course, I have learned A LOT so far! A vast amount of new words are getting used by me more and more often with every day. Yay!!! I am sure that I have progressed in speaking quite well. I can finally express my thoughts (more or less) without looking into glossary every minute. I have learned and practiced a bunch of new grammar (which I find extremely hard to understand). On this stage I face some troubles (as every german-learner, I hope), but it can be fixed through practice and practice and one more time – practice! Sheets with grammar principles are already hanged above the desk so I could see it whenever I raise my eyes from the laptop.
My personal advice is to absorb as many new words as possible. The books that we use during the course are undoubtedly fine for this, but you also should always look for other new words. And this is so easy to do when you live in German-speaking country! Just look around – free newspapers every morning at metro entrance, journals inside the carriage, shops, cafes, bakeries!
Something I still cannot overcome is switch from speaking English to German on daily basis. Obviously, I try to greet and say goodbye in German in shops or cafes, I also attempt to make an order in restaurants. But apart from that, something more complicated frighten me badly and I cannot put two words together! I don’t give up, assuredly, i just need some more time to get used to this language.
The easiest part for me is to listen to german, it seems so easy and the language itself is so smooth and soft. Actually, I’ve never thought of German language as a soft language before I started to learn it, stereotypes, what can I say:) But now, I start to realize the actual beauty of this language.
Another point I wanted to mention is out group – a diverse team of people who share the same goal with you – I got lucky with that! We are nice and friendly, everybody takes this course very seriously, but also we can play and laugh from time to time. It helps to release tension and enjoy the course even more!

That’s all for now:)

P.S. Picture I made myself this Autumn in Austrian National Park Gesäuse. I love it!

I can still feel the New Year’s spirit all around – even though the holidays are already over. Thus, I am continuing this topic! This time I was so blessed to spend my Christmas holidays and New Year’s Eve in Italy! I have never been there before and was so excited about this travel! But, to be completely honest, I felt a bit confused as well because I have never had experience of celebrating New Year‘ Eve without my family. And in this entry, I will share my typical New Year’s Eve in Kazakhstan.
I suppose, every family has its own traditions which our family had plenty of. Firstly, we always celebrate this evening in a BIG company – all relatives, friends, colleagues gather together to feast. We also believe that on New Year’s Eve there should be abundance of food and drink on the table. This will ensure prosperity in the house in the New year. Another tradition is very common in Kazakhstan and Russia – you should definitely try it! Before the clock strikes 12, prepare a very small piece of paper and a pencil. When the clock strikes, quickly write down your wish, burn the paper, put the ashes into a glass of champagne and drink it while the clock is chiming. Then the wish will definitely come true! (with a bit of a health and safety risk! haha) Trust me, I can guarantee you based on my own experience, it will come true but it should be your cherished dream!
A bit more complicated ritual can only be met in our family, I am sure. We made up it and keep this tradition one of the most important to do in the New Year. This ritual takes place after chiming clock, after everybody congratulated, hugged and kissed everybody! Everybody write an extended list of wishes, hopes and aims which he/she wants to achieve in a notebook and afterwards we put the notebook in a safe place till the next year eve! We believe that the start of the New Year should be positive and motivating, thus this notes for yourself is a great opportunity to get an inspiration! In the next year we usually open this notebook and everyone read it (for himself only). In my experience, most of the aims (yeah i prefer not write wishes but rather set up goals in that list) always got achieved. Something, obviously, not, but 365 days is not a short period – you and your thoughts can change, something you once dreamed of can become such a pointless and needless thing for you in that time! And this is actually trilling to meet past yourself in this notebook after one year time!

Oh! We are right in the middle of winter time in Vienna and I am slowly freezing up!
But despite this, we all love winter from our childhood for such memories as Christmas, New Year’s Eve, skiing snowboarding and staff. All gifts and presents to your friends, family and colleagues might be bothering but in fine those are pleasant chores! All those Christmas markets in Vienna – wonderful sights, delicious bakery and warming Gluhwien.
However, now the time passed and it’s the beginning of New Year – the Christmas is over, no more twinkling lights spread through the whole city, no more reasons to celebrations. This all makes you feel a bit gloomy but also to realize that this is 2017 now and it’s the right time for new beginnings. Have you already came up with your resolution plan for this new year? In my plan, foremost, studying of German, closing (as good as possible) the semester at Uni, sport and healthy food. Nice beginning, isn’t it? Tough tho 🙁

P.S. This rare moment in snowy Vienna

Hey there!

The first week of German classes is over – the time passed so fast!!! This is actually my first time taking courses in Deutschacademie and overall impression is quite satisfactory. Honestly, I was afraid before going to the very first lecture – I believed that my knowledge wouldn’t be enough for this level, but the fear quickly disappeared as I met my colleagues and the teacher. He is very nice and understanding – which is beneficial for the group since we all are so diverse! I can feel that he is truly trying to make everyone comfortable in the group!

A lot of new words, complicated grammar, and practice of speaking – all I was looking for! At first, we didn’t speak a lot, but after some of my colleagues asked the teacher to demand from us to speak more and the process went much better! Hence, we decided to end up every lessen with a little bit of conversation about e.g. What have you done last weekend? I find this idea great, it can help to improve your speaking and get to know your classmates as well!

Here the view from our class! Isn’t it great?